Ronald Baum
LtGen & Mrs. Jeffrey W. Oster Honorary Scholarship
College: Pennsylvania State University-Altoona
Major: Art
Graduating Class: 2016
Hometown: Duncansville, Pennsylvania
Marine Parent: Gunnery Sergeant Ronald Eric Baum
Years of Service: 18
During combat operations in the Al Anbar Province, Iraq, Gunnery Sergeant Ronald E. Baum was seeing to the welfare of his Marines in order to ensure their safety while disregarding his own. He passed away when a rocket-propelled grenade impacted the vehicle he was in.
“First of all, my father, who was himself a Marine, ... has had major impacts on my life. My father, as I grew up, gave me core values on how to live life, for example, how to never give up and to always provide for my family. These morals and life lessons ... have always carried me through life and gave me the courage to go to college, so that someday I can provide for my family as he did. Through life and death my father will always be the greatest man I ever knew.”
Kiana Mendoza
The Griffen Foundation Heroes Tribute Scholarship
College: Claremont McKenna College
Major: International Relations
Graduating Class: 2015
Hometown: Carlsbad, CA
Marine Parent: Marine Major Raymon Mendoza Jr. (1968-2005)
Years of Service: 10
Kiana’s father, Major Ramon Juan Mendoza, was killed in action leading 2/1 E CO Riffle Company during Operation Iron Curtain.
Kiana is a rising sophomore at Claremont McKenna College where she is studying international relations. She plans to eventually serve the United States as a diplomat or ambassador. She also speaks Spanish and is studying Chinese.
“I never felt lonely; if anything, traveling around and meeting so many new people taught me that you don’t always have to be together, or to be related by blood, to be part of a family. Especially after my dad was killed in action in 2005, I knew that I was never alone: I always had a helping hand, even if I was too proud to ask for it. The Marine Corps inadvertently gave me family all over the country and, in some cases, all over the world.”
Alison Spann
The Richard B. Lieb Family Scholarship and
The Griffen Foundation Heroes Tribute Scholarship
College: Pepperdine University
Major: Communications
Graduating Class: 2014
Hometown: Winfield, AL
Marine Parent: Veteran Marine Captain Johnny Spann (1969-2001)
Years of Service: 7
Alison’s father, Captain Jonny Micheal Spann, was the first American combat casualty in Afghanistan following the attacks of September 11, 2001. After distinguished service in the Marine Corps, Captain Spann joined the Central Intelligence Agency, where he was working at the time of his death.
“My father…was killed in action when I was 9. I don’t know where I would be without the help of organizations like the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation.”
We invite you to support the
Heroes Tribute Scholarship Program for Children of the Fallen by making a gift to assist students currently of college age and the thousands eager to attend in the future.
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